Middlesbrough Town Hall is presenting a Christmas treat with a difference with a special screening of the iconic film The Snowman, on Monday 13 December.

Watching The Snowman has become a tradition for many a family at Christmas time, and now parents can offer their children the chance to enjoy this beautiful tale in all it’s glory.  As the animated classic is projected onto the big screen in the Main Hall Northern Sinfonia, will provide Howard Blake’s enchanting soundtrack, live. A chorister for the famous Walking in the Air will accompany the orchestra, who are no stranger to Middlesbrough Town and regularly feature as part of the Classical programme.

The story follows James, who wakes one morning to find that everything outside has turned snow-white. Overjoyed, James begins to build a snowman. James can’t sleep that night, and at midnight he wakes up and decides to check on his snowman. He opens the back door… he can’t believe his eyes… The snowman has come to life!

The Snowman was written in 1978 by English author Raymond Briggs and has become a year-round favourite and one of the most popular Yuletide books ever published. In 1982 the book was turned into an enchanting film, which was nominated for the Academy Award for Animated Short Film.

The book is rather unique because it is wordless, as is the film except for the timeless Walking in the Air. Howard Blake, who wrote both the music and the lyrics of the song, also composed and conducted the complete orchestral score for the film with his own orchestra, the Sinfonia of London.

The orchestra will also play a sprinkling of Christmas classics and the audience will be invited to sing-a-long with everyone’s favourite, Jingle Bells, it’s the ideal way to get into the Christmas spirit!

Laura Hannaway from Town Hall said “The show will be a real Christmas treat for children and those of us who haven’t grown out of the Snowman’s magic yet!“

The Snowman: Northern Sinfonia, Monday 13 December. 3pm & 6pm. £14, £8 conc, £36 Family.

Tickets can be purchased from Middlesbrough Town Hall Box office on 01642 729729.

By Ciara on December 7, 2010